UCL epidemiologist Dr Antonio Lazzarino said he was worried masks are “a pretence to ease the lockdown to help the economy”.
“This may well happen at the expense of people’s health. Lockdown is the only measure that is proven to work.”
Face coverings in shops
Scientists have cautiously welcomed Boris Johnson’s suggestion that face coverings may become mandatory in shops in England.
Dr Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the PM was “right” to be reviewing England’s position on face coverings.
However, he issued a note of caution. “The most important thing, however, is that anyone wearing a mask must not assume that they are automatically protected,” he said. “People should still practice distancing and continue to wash their hands.”
